SCWK 300
(WEB)
TIME
MANAGEMENT PROJECT (15% of Final Grade)
In this project, you will explore
and address a personal time management challenge while applying research
findings from social science peer-reviewed journal articles. You will gather
data over ten days to examine your time management problem and evaluate the
effectiveness of an intervention based on your research.
The Time Management Project
is designed to help you learn how to identify problem behaviors and their
history, examine, and observe the extent of the problem behavior, identify
appropriate evidence-based interventions to attempt to change the behavior, and
to document the frequency of the behavior pre and post-intervention. This assignment will increase your
self-awareness about a time management problem you may have, while educating
you about how to assess, intervene and evaluate problems faced by your clients.
By completing this Time Management Project, you will not only gain a
deeper understanding of your own time management challenges but also develop
practical skills in applying evidence-based interventions, critical analysis,
and self-reflection, which are crucial aspects of your future work as a social
worker.
Please note: You will submit a homework assignment BEFORE you collect
your data. Please wait for the
instructor’s feedback before collecting data, in case you need to revise your
time management problem or research articles.
TIME
MANAGEMENT PROJECT GUIDELINES AND STEPS
1. Identify Your Time Management
Problem
a. Select one specific time management problem
that you personally experience. The time management problem should not be a bad
habit, but rather something that you do while avoiding other tasks. For example, using Facebook, Instagram Tik
Tok, or texting.
b. The title throughout the paper should be:
“The number of times I [insert your time management problem behavior] in a
24-hour period.”
2. Gather Research
Articles
a. Locate a minimum of five (5) social science
peer-reviewed journal articles from the York College CUNY Library databases.
b.
Ensure these articles are within the last 10 years,
and each should be at least 10 pages long.
c.
These
articles should provide information on your specific selected time management
problem, including strategies for improvement.
3. Data Collection (Days
1-5)
a. Create a TABLE to clearly record the daily
occurrences of your time management
problem. Use the provided Table template on
Blackboard and complete the header.
b. Record your
behavior related to your time management problem for five consecutive days. Your table should consist of the number of
times you engage in the behavior during each hour of each day. Numbers, not words, should be on the
table.
c. Keep track of the number of instances the
problem behavior occurs daily.
4. Intervention (Days
6-10)
a.
After collecting data for five days, implement ONE
intervention.
b.
This intervention should reflect a strategy or
insight you gained from ONE of the research articles.
c.
Continue recording your behavior for five additional
days, resulting in a total of 10 days of data collection.
5. Data Presentation (How
to Create a Line Graph)
Creating a graph from your raw
data table is a crucial step in visualizing and presenting your findings in a
clear and meaningful way. Here are steps to guide you through the process:
Step 1: Open a
Spreadsheet
You can use software like
Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet program that you are
comfortable with.
Step 2: Enter Your Data
In your spreadsheet, create two
columns: one for the day (X-axis) and another for the number of times your time
management problem behavior occurred (Y-axis).
Enter the corresponding data from your raw data table into these
columns.
Step 3: Select Your Data
Click and drag to select both
columns of data. This should include all the days and the corresponding occurrences
of your behavior.
Step 4: Create the Line
Graph
In your spreadsheet software, find
the chart or graph creation tool. This is usually located in the
“Insert” or “Chart” menu.
Choose the line graph or time series chart option, as it is suitable for
showing changes over time.
Step 5: Customize Your
Graph
Label the X and Y-axes with
appropriate titles. Add a title to your
graph, which should be: “The number of times I [insert your time
management problem behavior] in a 24-hour period.”
Step 6: Review and Save
Your Graph
Double-check your graph to ensure
it accurately represents your data and it is ONE LINE OVER A 10 DAY PERIOD. Save
your graph as an image file (e.g., PNG, JPEG) or copy it to be pasted into your
final paper.
WRITE THE PAPER: TIME MANAGEMENT PROJECT REQUIRED OUTLINE
I.
Cover
Sheet (1 page)
Adhere to APA style
guidelines to prepare your cover sheet.
II.
Introduction:
The Problem (1 page)
State the problem
you selected in measurable terms (e.g., “Number of times I engage in
procrastination in a 24-hour period”). Describe how the problem has
manifested in your personal life, including any childhood issues or concerns
that may have contributed to this behavior. Explain why this problem is
significant and reflect on the insights and understanding you gained through
your own self-reflection, research literature, and conversations with others
regarding the origins and impact of this problem.
III.
Background
(2-3 pages)
In this section,
provide a comprehensive review of the five research articles you have read
related to your chosen time management problem. Cite these articles and
summarize the key findings, methodologies, and insights presented in each
study.
IV.
Methods:
Intervention (1 page)
Select one
evidence-based intervention from one of the research articles you reviewed.
Clearly cite the source of this intervention and establish a direct connection
between the information you found in the research article and the specific
intervention you implemented for five consecutive days. Discuss the aspects of
the research articles that you found valuable and explain how you integrated
this information into the development of your intervention.
V.
Findings:
Discuss Your Data (1 page)
In this section,
analyze and discuss the data you collected during your intervention period.
Include the number of times your target behavior occurred both before and after
the intervention. Provide your interpretation of the data, highlighting any
changes or trends that emerged because of the intervention.
VI.
Limitations
(1/2 page)
Identify and discuss
any limitations or challenges encountered during your study. Reflect on the
reasons these limitations may have arisen and propose alternative approaches or
strategies that could have been employed to address them effectively.
VII.
Progress
(1/2 page)
Highlight the
successes and lessons learned from your project. Share your personal insights
and discoveries about yourself because of carrying out this assignment. Discuss
the benefits and skills you acquired through this experience.
VIII. Conclusion (1/2 page)
Imagine you are
designing an intervention plan with a client who has a similar time management
problem. Provide specific details on how you would approach the client’s
treatment plan, drawing upon the research you have reviewed. Explain the
interventions and strategies you would recommend, citing relevant research to
support your proposed treatment plan. Do not just use what you did in your own
project. Expand on and revise what
worked/did not work, using new research.
IX.
Data
Presentation (2 pages of Appendices)
Submit your RAW DATA TABLE and your LINE GRAPH
along with your finished paper. Combine
these elements into the paper, ensuring they are scanned and included as part
of your final submission.
X.
Reference
Page (1 page)
The Reference page
should include all peer-reviewed journal articles and any other references you
cite in the text of your paper. Five (5)
peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles are the minimum requirement for this
paper.
PAPER REQUIREMENTS AND FORMAT (12 pages)
The
paper should be 10 pages long. You are
required to submit 8 pages of writing; please do not submit extra or fewer
pages of writing. The Data Table and
Line Graph add 2 pages of Appendices. The
Cover Sheet and Reference page are an extra 2 pages, totaling 12 pages.
A
successful paper will follow the guidelines and outline contained in this
assignment. It will contain no errors in
writing, spelling or grammar and be formatted correctly in APA style. APA style includes a cover page, Reference
page, in-text citations, page numbers, and use of subheadings. Check www.owl.purdue.edu for assistance with APA style.
